FLIGHT International, 21 April
The Boeing SST could operate with a
lower break-even load factor than today's subsonic
jets on all but the shorter routes.
The supersonic Boeing jetliner pic-
tured above could carry more than 200
passengers across the Atlantic in 2Vz
hours.
Profitably.
Its break-even load factor would, on
all but the shorter routes, be lower than
that of existing subsonic jets.
Boeing began preliminary design
work on the SST in 1956. Since then,
Boeing's intensive design, research ant 1
wind tunnel testing programme ha*
achieved the technological advance?
needed to build a successful super-
sonic transport.
From the beginning, Boeing's design
teams worked toward two goals: First,
a practical supersonic jet capable of
being operated day in day out over
airline routes. Second, a supersonic jet
with a cost and earnings potential ac-
ceptable to commercial airlines.
In the process, Boeing explored 290
configurations, and completed wind
tunnel testing on 56 different high-
speed wings.
The Boeing SST features a variable-
sweep wing. It provides the advantages
of both the arrow wing for high-speed
cruise, and the straight wing for docile,
slow landings. In between, a conven-
tional jet sweepback position can be
used for efficient subsonic flight.
The Boeing SST could operate easily
from today's airports. Its takeoff and
landing characteristics would, in fact,
be even better than those of today's
long-range jetliners. It could be in com-
mercial service in the early 1970's.
Another advantage: It's backed by
Boeing's unequalled experience as
builder of the world's most success-
ful jetliners.